MANILA, Philippines - John Michael Dumaraos held sway against more experienced rivals to draw the first blood in the kickoff of the 2011 National Drag Racing Championship Southern Series recently at the Batangas Racing Circuit Drag Strip in Rosario, Batangas.
Dumaraos took the spotlight off top favorite Norman de la Peña of QSP in their final showdown, clocking 12.256 seconds to capture his first career Quick 8 crown in this event supported by Yokohama Philippines, Chequered Flag, Racing Beat@Wave 89.1 FM, Aeromed, and sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philipines.
He turned back Rommel Dural in the first round and upstaged another strong contender Edwardo de la Peña with a consistent time of 12.062 seconds to get his ticket to the finals.
De la Peña could have pushed his car’s limit too early as he faced tough rivals Jeremie Cabreros of Ger and Friends in the quarterfinals in 12.577 seconds as his time dipped to 12.790 seconds in beating former champ Sonny de Torres to claim the other finals slot.
But in the showdown against Dumaraos, engine problems bogged De la Peña as his time further slipped to 17.746 seconds.
De la Rosa prevailed over De Torres in the battle for third place with a time of 12.326 seconds.
Despite the absence of the other top guns, the Southern Series kickoff was equally successful and colorful with a turnout of 125 entries, a huge crowd of spectators that almost filled up both grandstands and organized teams like Team Rapide-Batangas, Montavita, Just Racing and Autokeep showing up with proper uniforms.
Sharing the limelight with Dumaraos was Kenneth Carrido of Montavita who ruled the Hotstreet class with an impressive consistent time of 16.174 seconds over runner-up Julius Sambayan of RSL who clocked 16.3.
Lou de Castro of Blade Speed took third place in 17.832 seconds after beating wildcard entry Ralf Jermaine de Guzman of Lowtoys.